Michael Cacoyannis

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Michalis Kakogiannis or Michael Cacoyannis (Greek: Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης; 11 June 1922 – 25 July 2011)[1] was a prominent Greek Cypriot filmmaker from Cyprus, best known for his 1964 film Zorba the Greek. He directed the 1983 Broadway revival of the musical based on the film. Much of his work was rooted in classical texts, especially those of the Greek tragedian Euripides. He was nominated for an Academy Award five times, a record for any Greek Cypriot film artist. He received Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film nominations for Zorba the Greek, and two nominations in the Foreign Language Film category for Electra and Iphigenia.
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Life

Cacoyannis was born on 11 June, 1922 in Limassol, Cyprus under the name Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης (Mikhalis Kakogiannis). In 1939, he was sent by his father, Sir Panayotis Loizou Cacoyannis, to London to become a lawyer. However, after producing Greek-language programs for the BBC World Service during World War II,[2] Kakogiannis found an interest in film instead. He ended up at the Old Vic school, and enjoyed a brief stage career there under the name "Michael Yannis" before he began working on films. After having trouble finding a directing job in the British film industry, Cacoyannis moved to Greece, and in 1953 he made his first film, Windfall in Athens.[2] He was offered the chance to direct Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando in the film Reflections in a Golden Eye, but declined.

Cacoyannis had worked on many occasions with the Greek actress Irene Papas and especially Elli Lambeti with whom he was in love. In 1971, he teamed up once more with Papas for the film The Trojan Women, starring Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn. He was a close friend of Darryl F. Zanuck and George Cukor.

1956 : Best Foreign Language Film for "Stella" — won
1957 : Best Foreign Language Film for "A Girl in Black" — won
1965 : Best Director for "Zorba the Greek — nominated

British Academy Award (BAFTA)

1966 : Best Film for "Zorba the Greek" — nominated
1966 : UN Award for "Zorba the Greek" — nominated

New York Film Critics

1964 : Best Film for "Zorba the Greek" — nominated
1964 : Best Director for "Zorba the Greek" — nominated
1964 : Best Screenplay for "Zorba the Greek" — nominated

David di Donatello Award

1964 : Special Plaque for "Zorba the Greek" — won

Thessaloniki Film Festival

1960 : Special Contribution Award — won
1961 : Best Director for "Our Last Spring" — won
1962 : Best Film for "Elektra" — won
1962 : Best Director for "Elektra" — won
1977 : Best Film for "Iphigenia" — won
1999 : Union of Film and Television Technicians Award for "The Cherry Orchard" — won

Moscow Film Festival

1956 : Silver Medal for "A Girl in Black" — Won

Edinburgh Film Festival

1954 : Diploma of Merit for "Windfall in Athens" — won
1962 : Diploma of Merit for "Elektra" — won